FA Counselor- Grants/Scholar

University of South Carolina; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Carolina Aiken is hiring a Financial Aid Counselor – Grants/Scholarships to oversee SC Need Grant and Federal Grant programs and to ensure compliant processing of awards. The role involves advising students and parents on aid options, and supporting scholarship administration within the USC Aiken Office of Financial Aid.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of experience, with preference for familiarity with Banner and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 1+ years of related experience or an equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience.
• Preference for familiarity with Banner and MS Office applications.
• Experience handling financial aid programs and knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration of South Carolina Need Grant and Federal Grant programs in USC Aiken Office of Financial Aid.
• Ensure compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies for grant processing and student account applications.
• Counsel students and parents on financial aid programs; assist in reviewing and correcting financial aid data.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Deadline management

Administrative skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a job related field

Tools

Banner

MS Office

Job description

About USC

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Financial Aid Counselor – Grants/Scholarships (Financial Aid Specialist), Salary: $41,073 – $50,315 per year, USCA Financial Aid

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director, the Financial Aid Counselor – Grants/Scholarships is responsible for leadership in and the management of the USC Aiken Office of Financial Aid’s administration of South Carolina Need Grant and Federal Grant programs. The Financial Aid Counselor – Grants/Scholarships is directly responsible for ensuring compliance with state, federal, and institutional policy and procedures governing the receipt, processing, and application to student accounts of all grant programs. The Financial Aid Counselor – Grant/Scholarships serves as the point of contact in the Office of Financial Aid for students receiving grants and serves as backup for all scholarship programs. Additionally, the Financial Aid Counselor- Grant/Scholarships provides support in assisting and counseling students and parents regarding financial aid programs and processes. Assists in the review of financial aid applications for all student aid programs and ensures accuracy and completeness. Assists with other financial aid programs as needed.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: The ability to establish and maintain working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, and co-workers is essential. Ability to work under pressure and deadlines. Must possess excellent administrative, interpersonal, organizational, and communication abilities. Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience. Preferred: Familiarity with enterprise-type systems such as Banner, and literacy with MS office and PC applications. Financial aid experience and knowledge of Federal Title IV program regulations preferred.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience: Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Familiarity with enterprise-type systems such as Banner, and literacy with MS office and PC applications. Financial aid experience and knowledge of Federal Title IV program regulations preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: The ability to establish and maintain working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, and co-workers is essential. Ability to work under pressure and deadlines. Must possess excellent administrative, interpersonal, organizational, and communication abilities.

Application deadline: October 13, 2026. USCA is an Equal Opportunity Institution. We strive to cultivate an environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of all individuals.

Job Duties

• Job Duty: Validates students’ eligibility for SC State Need-Based Grant (SNBG) in accordance with the SC Commission on Higher Educations (CHE) policies and regulations. Verifies accuracy of awards prior to submitting payment information to CHE. Review disbursement reports to ensure SNBG funds have been accurately and fully disbursed. Maintains accounting of end-of-the-year institutional payment summary for completeness. Reconciles SNBG funds for reporting by mid-September. Assists in determining over awards or over-payments and deciding steps necessary to rectify each situation.
  Essential Function: Yes
  Percentage of Time: 30
• Job Duty: Validates students’ eligibility for Pell Grants and SEOG. Verifies accuracy of awards prior to submitting payment information electronically to the U.S. Department of Education. Reviews disbursement reports to ensure Pell Grant funds have been accurately and fully disbursed. Maintains accounting of end-of-the-year institutional payment summary for completeness. Assists the Director with monthly reconciliation of Pell Grant and SEOG funds. Assists in determining over-awards or over-payments and deciding steps necessary to rectify each situation. Provides technical and accounting support for the Federal Pell Grant and SEOG Programs.
  Essential Function: Yes
  Percentage of Time: 25
• Job Duty: Counsel’s students and parents concerning all aid programs, debt management and budgeting. Assist in reviewing incoming financial aid applications for all programs in terms of accuracy and completeness; determines necessary supplemental information and requests same. Reviews and verifies incoming data as it relates to the student’s application. Adjusts applicant data and completes corrections if required. Adjusts computer fields and recalculates data to reflect applicant’s eligibility on anticipated or current enrollment status. Completes applications in the preparation for automated award process or manually awards financial aid packages in accordance with federal regulations and office awarding philosophy. Monitors and resolves potential over-awards and adjusts awards if necessary.
  Essential Function: Yes
  Percentage of Time: 15
• Job Duty: Serves as backup for the Assistant Director in the administering and awarding of USC Aiken Academic Scholarships and SC State Scholarships. Assist in reconciliation of all scholarship funds.
  Essential Function: Yes
  Percentage of Time: 15
• Job Duty: Serves as a backup financial aid counselor when needed for walk-ins. Assists with handling incoming phone calls. Assists students and parents, answering questions and understanding financial aid programs. Determines if any necessary supplemental information is needed and informs student/parents of such.
  Essential Function: Yes
  Percentage of Time: 10
• Job Duty: Other duties as assigned.
  Essential Function: Yes
  Percentage of Time: 5

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Posting Detail Information

• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Desired Start Date:
• Job Open Date: 09/23/2026
• Job Close Date: 10/13/2026
• Open Until Filled: No

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

1. * Do you have at least a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume